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Topic : We Disagree On Punishment

"My husband is a spanker, but I don't believe in hitting my child." "My son knows he can run to my wife when I've told him no." Does this sound familiar? Tell us your story.

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This is a no brainer

My daughter has girlfriends that come and spend the night, however, when things get pretty chaotic while they are having fun, they seem to lose repect for my house and damage it. For instance, I heard alot of laughing and loud noises and I came up to see what was happening. They said "sorry" and told me to look around the room. What I saw was a hole in the bathroom door, as big as a softball" I was shocked. My main question is, how long and what should be the punishment for this? I do know who really did this but since it happened in my house and I was not witness to this I can not make the parents pay for this. Can anyone tell me what kind of grounding I should do. Because my daughter needs to realize and maybe she will tell her friends to be more respectful of her house since she's getting the punishment.&nbsp

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Thank you &nbsp

There is no question in my mind what should happen.

You should end the sleep over immediately, and say no more sleep overs for a month.

If it happens again with the next sleep over when the grounding is done, then increase the length of grounding.

My girlfriend had her daughters "sleep over" quit at 5 am. when things were not going well and the kids had to explain to their parents why it quit, because they had to ring the door bell to get it.

To mother in PA

I am married at the age of 16 yrs old (1988), to the father of all 3 of my children. We seperated in 1992 when my baby was 2 years old. Our divorce finally became final in 1994. I got remarried in 1989, to a man I thought was a good man, and for a long time he was. He like everyone else had his faults and so did I, and I still do. He and I seperated in 2000. I have been in another relationship with a different man scence 2004. I was living in TN when I met this man and he was in Iraq, When he came home in Sept. 2004, we met and been together ever sence, I even moved to his home state in PA. Almost 900 miles away from any of my family and the childrens family. At first the children seemed fine with this but sence then my son who is now 18 and still living with me because he is still in school has gotten in trouble with the law, he is not doing well in school at all, he has a girl friend that he can't seem to pull his self away from long enough to do anything else, my 17 year old daughter has moved back to TN and is now living with her Dad and step-mom, and seems to be lying about things to her father and others around her,she is doing well in school though, my 16 year old daughter is driving me crazy, she goes up and down in her school work, she lies, she has an aditude out of this world, she seems to have no respect for anyone,it has been told that she is going to run away, she has been caught with a dull knife when she got caught she told this person she wanted to die, this was after a boy she likes wouldn't pay attention to her. I have sence then gotten her help, not worked yet though. My boyfriend and I fight all the time on how I should disipline my children, he has no children of his own. The children and he argue like 2 and 3 year olds about every thing. And then he wants to make sure that I know what they have done wrong even if I already know it. And he doesn't stop! I have noticed when he is not around my children listen and do what I ask them but when he is around he demands them to do stuff, I dont depand unless I have to ask more than once. My boyfriend thinks my children tell me what to do, and that I do what ever they say but I pick and chose my battles with my children I always have. My children don't respect him but thats because he doesn't respect them, I believe he is jealous of my relationship with my children and is trying to come between us. It has gotten to the point that I don't want to be with him anymore, and its not just cause of the differences with him and the children, its alot more than that for me. I miss my family in TN and I know my children do as well, especially my 16 year old daughter, my son says he wants to stay here in PA, cause of his girl friend and to finish school. But as a mother I don't feel like I can leave him in a state with no family members at all around him. What am I to do? I feel like I am going crazy! Is there any help for my situation?&nbsp

Your issues are long and complicated, and most likely didn't just start, they just have gotten worse over time. Its not healthy for your children to see mom be wrapped up in one boyfriend/husband after another- and its likely that is the reason your oldest son is so wrapped up in his girlfriend, because that is the behavior that was modeled for him, so he thinks that its normal, that if he didn't have her he would be worthless. I urge you to move back to TN. The relationship with your children needs to come first before anything and everything in life! There are so many things to regret in life, having regrets about the way you raised your kids isn't one that you should have later on. Tell your oldest son that he can keep in contact with his girlfriend long distance, but under no circumstances should you leave him in Pa- absolutly not. It is going to be hard for him, because he's a teen and he wants what he wants when he wants it.. but you are still the guardian holding the power.

You are a wise woman to pick your battles!! It seems like your boyfriend is jealous of your kids and only wants to stir up problems whenever possible, because he wants to be the 'boss'... which is always a turn off for teens, of course!!

I encourage you to keep that chin lifted and be positive about where you are headed. You are doing the right thing by moving back to PA. This relationship isn't working and there is no reason to stay!!

sorry to have to say this....

My question is how do I get my husband to listen and understand my views on this. I love him and don't want to leave but he is always right on disiplining our daughter. He has been a teacher for many years. so he says he has seen what happens to kids depending on the way they was raised, but I just think he goes over board. I mean for lying and getting bad grades the disapline is selling all of her show animals, grounded, and she has to do school work after school until bed time and if she does not do in an hour what he thinks she was suppose to she gets a spanking.&nbsp

Last night she got 3 spankings for not getting done what he thought she should have done.&nbsp

She told him she was going to be a vet. when she grew up. He said yah right with these kind of grades you are going to be a dump truck driver. I don't think he does her any good telling her things like that. I told her she can be one she just has to try hard to get good grades.&nbsp

But he calls her special ed, stupid, retard. things like that I do not feel this is good for her.&nbsp

I am not saying she is always doing what is right or good. I just think this is hurting her more than helping her. I have talked to him about this over and over again but it doesn't help. I am 3 months pregnant and do not want to leave. just want him to stop this. How do I make him understand?&nbsp

She has already told me this week she wants to move out.&nbsp

Help please.&nbsp

I'm really sorry to be the one to say this and I really mean that but someone has to put it right out there for you. Your husband as much as you love him is HURTING your child. That IS Abuse!! and you are letting it happen... I am NOT tyring to attack you or anything like that at all. I feel for you badly: the confusion of dealing with it all. You love your children more than ANYBODY else. They come first. I dont understand how your husband feels that his punishment is even justifiable. I mean a YEAR. thats way overboard. 3 spankings in one night (It doesn't matter what the reason) is just cause, definately, for her to end up hating him as well she may feel resentment towards you for allowing this to happen. He sold her animals, those are living breathing things that she herself helped raise and now they're gone. As Punishment??? He's taking away any sort of independence or freedom of thought and feeling away from her, along with making her feel useless and no good. Worst case scenario: If you dont stop this from happening at some point someone else may and you may not have any control over it. You could lose her for this, I'm not sure you realize that. You would never ever forgive yourself. Lying and bad grades come out of more kids than not at points nowadays and I will say that most kids arent dealt with properly as a result but this is too much. Please I know you have put yourself in her shoes before and I know you feel guilty sometimes too and even though you feel there's no talking to him and you're expecting so you dont want to leave maybe you should give him a big scare(if you haven't already)..Let him know that you will not tolerate this behaviour from him anymore It sounds to me like his behaviour as an adult with parental responsibilities is worse than your daughter's as a child. There are much better and more rewarding ways to deal with this problem.

REMEMBER THIS: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN A MOMENTS TIME, WHEN YOU ARE LEAST EXPECTING IT, GOD FORBID ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN, BUT IF YOU GO ON LETTING THIS HAPPEN IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHANGES FOR HER.

She obviously cant express herslf in the house or at least around him so someone's gotta do it for her and you are that person. Please do something, if you cant talk to him about discipline issues regarding your own daughter than how much does he truly respect you? or your daughter? Is it really meant to be I know you want it to be, but is it really? You've got another ball of joy on the way you dont want the cycle to continue. I feel for you really and you are not to blame. Hes the one with the control now you just have to try to regain some of it thats all. You need courage, strength and determination. Its time to put your foot down girl and you can if you stick to it. If he decides he doesnt want to stay as a result, you are going to hurt but at least your daughter wont have to anymore and she will be living a lot happier as a result. Like I said before I'm sorry to be the one to say it but I was floored when I read your story. Take care of yourself and your daughter. If you need to talk to someone with similar experiences look me up, I'm right here. Sounds like you need all the support you can get right now

We disagree on punishment and what should be punished

It is not my husband and I that are having the disagreement though, but the school system that we are forced to deal with. They seem to think that Farting is something to punish and that when my 11 year old was thrown against the wall by a 17 yr old that was not to be punished. That when a 13 yr old says they will slit some ones thoat that will not be punished but when my 8 yr old needs to have a bowel movement that needs to be punished. I am losing my mind and my kids are so depressed. I am trying to save enough to move out of here. We will seperate. For the kids sake. Because of the school system. I will need to get them into therapy as soon as we are close enough to a Dr. We have been through so much as a family. We have survived my illnesses. All of our bills. Living homless and in a camp groung in NY for 6 months but the school system is tearing us apart. IT is just wrong?? &nbsp

They will Not disaplin the kids that are doing things wrong. The ones that want to cheat and hurt the other kids. When you talk to the cschool about that they wont do anything. When my son would turn other kids in they would do nothing. When my oldest son was harrased on the way to Football in Front of the driver, about cheating this year the school did nothing. My son cant poop fast enough and they are timing him sending people into the bathroom with him. &nbsp

We are not the only family going through this. It seems to have happen for many generations here. The other family it is happening to is also a goverment family that is dislocated with no family close by. We are called outside trouble makers. For trying to start a PTA. Farting and Pooping why do they do these things to children?&nbsp

WHOA THERE!

I'm really sorry to be the one to say this and I really mean that but someone has to put it right out there for you. Your husband as much as you love him is HURTING your child. That IS Abuse!! and you are letting it happen... I am NOT tyring to attack you or anything like that at all. I feel for you badly: the confusion of dealing with it all. You love your children more than ANYBODY else. They come first. I dont understand how your husband feels that his punishment is even justifiable. I mean a YEAR. thats way overboard. 3 spankings in one night (It doesn't matter what the reason) is just cause, definately, for her to end up hating him as well she may feel resentment towards you for allowing this to happen. He sold her animals, those are living breathing things that she herself helped raise and now they're gone. As Punishment??? He's taking away any sort of independence or freedom of thought and feeling away from her, along with making her feel useless and no good. Worst case scenario: If you dont stop this from happening at some point someone else may and you may not have any control over it. You could lose her for this, I'm not sure you realize that. You would never ever forgive yourself. Lying and bad grades come out of more kids than not at points nowadays and I will say that most kids arent dealt with properly as a result but this is too much. Please I know you have put yourself in her shoes before and I know you feel guilty sometimes too and even though you feel there's no talking to him and you're expecting so you dont want to leave maybe you should give him a big scare(if you haven't already)..Let him know that you will not tolerate this behaviour from him anymore It sounds to me like his behaviour as an adult with parental responsibilities is worse than your daughter's as a child. There are much better and more rewarding ways to deal with this problem.

REMEMBER THIS: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN A MOMENTS TIME, WHEN YOU ARE LEAST EXPECTING IT, GOD FORBID ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN, BUT IF YOU GO ON LETTING THIS HAPPEN IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHANGES FOR HER.

She obviously cant express herslf in the house or at least around him so someone's gotta do it for her and you are that person. Please do something, if you cant talk to him about discipline issues regarding your own daughter than how much does he truly respect you? or your daughter? Is it really meant to be I know you want it to be, but is it really? You've got another ball of joy on the way you dont want the cycle to continue. I feel for you really and you are not to blame. Hes the one with the control now you just have to try to regain some of it thats all. You need courage, strength and determination. Its time to put your foot down girl and you can if you stick to it. If he decides he doesnt want to stay as a result, you are going to hurt but at least your daughter wont have to anymore and she will be living a lot happier as a result. Like I said before I'm sorry to be the one to say it but I was floored when I read your story. Take care of yourself and your daughter. If you need to talk to someone with similar experiences look me up, I'm right here. Sounds like you need all the support you can get right now

Sincerely,

Tanya

I'll be the second one to say it, but I'm not a bit sorry to, I totally agree with this point of view.

#1 - Your daugher's stepfather should not be disciplining her in the first place

- that is YOUR job.

#2 - That is not discipline, it's emotional, verbal and physical abuse.

#3 - It is up to you to stop this! If you don't, your daughter is going to be in

real trouble some day.

I think you'd really benefit from getting some of Dr. Phils tapes and transcripts, since I've seen this on his show before! Take action ASAP, since time will only make this situation worse, not better. It is your daughter, so it is up to you to do something about this. If you can't reason with him, then kick him to the curb! I speak from experience - my husband tried to be tough with my daughter, and I had to intervene. I know it's not easy, but if he cares for and respects you, he will learn to do the same for your daughter!

We Disagree On Punishment

It is not my husband and I that are having the disagreement though, but the school system that we are forced to deal with. They seem to think that Farting is something to punish and that when my 11 year old was thrown against the wall by a 17 yr old that was not to be punished. That when a 13 yr old says they will slit some ones thoat that will not be punished but when my 8 yr old needs to have a bowel movement that needs to be punished. I am losing my mind and my kids are so depressed. I am trying to save enough to move out of here. We will seperate. For the kids sake. Because of the school system. I will need to get them into therapy as soon as we are close enough to a Dr. We have been through so much as a family. We have survived my illnesses. All of our bills. Living homless and in a camp groung in NY for 6 months but the school system is tearing us apart. IT is just wrong?? &nbsp

They will Not disaplin the kids that are doing things wrong. The ones that want to cheat and hurt the other kids. When you talk to the cschool about that they wont do anything. When my son would turn other kids in they would do nothing. When my oldest son was harrased on the way to Football in Front of the driver, about cheating this year the school did nothing. My son cant poop fast enough and they are timing him sending people into the bathroom with him. &nbsp

We are not the only family going through this. It seems to have happen for many generations here. The other family it is happening to is also a goverment family that is dislocated with no family close by. We are called outside trouble makers. For trying to start a PTA. Farting and Pooping why do they do these things to children?&nbsp

deminted and in angush laney&nbsp

If this is an American school system why don't you go to your town assembly man or mayor? I would go to the news paper local television station and if the people in the town think you are a trouble maker then just look at them and say butt out!! I am so sick and tired of the inequity in the school systems. If you have money they kiss your butt and if you don't they expect you to kiss theirs. Get yourself a lawyer some will take cases probono. You may also qualify for a free attorney. Call your local court house for information on this service. I hope everything works out for you. Maybe you and some of the other family's could lead a protest. Make noise be heard. Remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I need someone's opinion..I'm having problems with my boyfriend and his 15 yr old daughter. She's lying to him and he won't do anything about it. How do i confront him?

We Disagree On Punishment

It is not my husband and I that are having the disagreement though, but the school system that we are forced to deal with. They seem to think that Farting is something to punish and that when my 11 year old was thrown against the wall by a 17 yr old that was not to be punished. That when a 13 yr old says they will slit some ones thoat that will not be punished but when my 8 yr old needs to have a bowel movement that needs to be punished. I am losing my mind and my kids are so depressed. I am trying to save enough to move out of here. We will seperate. For the kids sake. Because of the school system. I will need to get them into therapy as soon as we are close enough to a Dr. We have been through so much as a family. We have survived my illnesses. All of our bills. Living homless and in a camp groung in NY for 6 months but the school system is tearing us apart. IT is just wrong?? &nbsp

They will Not disaplin the kids that are doing things wrong. The ones that want to cheat and hurt the other kids. When you talk to the cschool about that they wont do anything. When my son would turn other kids in they would do nothing. When my oldest son was harrased on the way to Football in Front of the driver, about cheating this year the school did nothing. My son cant poop fast enough and they are timing him sending people into the bathroom with him. &nbsp

We are not the only family going through this. It seems to have happen for many generations here. The other family it is happening to is also a goverment family that is dislocated with no family close by. We are called outside trouble makers. For trying to start a PTA. Farting and Pooping why do they do these things to children?&nbsp

deminted and in angush laney&nbsp

The first thing you need to do is get themout of that school, homeschooling is a great option. No way would I put up witht hat stuff from a school system. They are failing your kids and if you keep them in that school, you will be failing them as well, then after getting them out and getting settled, take some action, but firat priority is your children, there are also private schools that, whatever, get them out from where they are now.

We Disagree On Punishment

I need some clarification he knows she is lying and won't do anything about it? If he does know then he is in denial and there is nothing that you are going to be able to do to make him accept it. If he doesn't know then if I were you I wouldn't be the one to tell him. It will drive a wedge between the two of you. If there is a neutral person who can verify this and they are someone he can trust then I would try to set that meeting up. Either way that is a touchy subject.